Prayer and Proverbs - Day 25 of 31

Read Proverbs 25.

“A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls.” (Proverbs 25:28 NLT)

Take some time to think what a city with broken-down walls is exposed to. What are its vulnerabilities for attack from outside forces? 

Now when it comes down to us as individuals, I’m picturing Iron Man. When facing the most threatening of enemies, Tony Stark isn’t enough; he is too exposed to vulnerability. He needs the protection of Iron Man’s getup to withstand attack. 

Think upon a person without self-control. Attack on such a person can come in several forms. Once a person’s spiritual guard is down exposure to sinful action and its temptations come in both direct and indirect (subtle, unknowing) ways. What are some of these ways?

The New Testament does not tread on the subject of self-control lightly. The NT refers to the importance of self-control multiple times. In a call for holy living, Peter stated, “So prepare your minds for action and exercise self-control. Put all your hope in the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world.” (1 Peter 1:13 ESV)

Self-control is developed by the Spirit, instructed by the Word, encouraged by other brothers and sisters in Christ, is strengthened in the presence of Jesus when participating in the Lord’s Supper.

In what ways do you need self-control? May this question lead your prayers to God today.

Prayer and Proverbs - Day 24 of 31

Read Proverbs 24.

“for the righteous falls seven times and rises again, but the wicked stumble in times of calamity.” (Proverbs 24:16 ESV)

In Mark Ruffalo/Kiera Knightley's Begin Again, the title clearly explains what each character in the movie has the opportunity to do. No matter one's past failings or the wounds caused by another, one can begin again.

This is most certain in lives found in Jesus. In Jesus we were made new...to begin again. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” (2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV)

How deep is Jesus' forgiveness? How many opportunities does He give us to begin again? He explains to Peter in Matthew 18:21-22 (ESV): “Then Peter came up and said to him, 'Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?' Jesus said to him, 'I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.'”

God has even blessed us with the great gift of the Lord's supper. In this sacrament we are given “begin again” opportunities each week at worship as the body and blood of Jesus toss our sins away.

No matter what stumblings or hurts happened yesterday...or a week ago...or a year ago...or longer, today is the day to begin again. Why not start in prayer?

Prayer and Proverbs - Day 23 of 31

Read Proverbs 23.

“My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes observe my ways.” (Proverbs 23:26 ESV)

Last week I saw Ridley Scott's Exodus: Gods and Kings (SPOILER ALERTS). Biblical inaccuracies aside, one message that Ridley did communicate well in his movie was that salvation is God's business. Only God saves. It was 100% God's work in delivering His people from Egypt. God did as He said He would, “So I will stretch out my hand and strike the Egyptians with all the wonders that I will perform among them. After that, he [pharoh] will let you go.” (Exodus 4:20 NIV)

As Moses' return to Egypt is depicted in the movie, Moses attempted to assemble and train the Israelites to fight against Egypt for their salvation. That didn't go too well. Matters got even worse. Then God stepped in and said something like, “Now watch me.” And so went God's hand stretched out to save.

We all face trials and turmoil in life. What does God call us to do during these times? To trust Him. To give Him our hearts. We are encouraged by Paul's words to the Romans (8:31b-32, 34-39 ESV):

“If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us. Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? (As the Scriptures say, 'For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.' No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

In what ways is God calling you to give Him your heart? 

As you wait for God to deliver you from your particular trial, 

He may ask you to be patient. 

He may ask you to hold fast to your faith. 

He may ask you to continue actively loving others (even those who are not actively loving you). 

Pray for these things.

And in the end, observe His ways. Watch Him do His saving work. Be reminded that ultimately God's saving work, with its eternal rewards, has already been completed by Jesus on the cross.

Prayer and Proverbs - Day 22 of 31

Read Proverbs 22.

“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:6 ESV)

So is training our children to be disciples of Jesus your pastors's ultimate responsibility? Your youth director's responsibility? Your child's Sunday school teacher's responsibility? Your Christian school teacher's responsibility?

Add up the hours a church worker or Christian school teacher would have in discipling your children, with specific religious training, in a year's span. Let's even be generous and work with 48 hours in a year. 2 days versus 363 days. Those 48 hours are certainly valuable, spiritually enriching, and biblically instructive. But consider the greater impact parents/guardians have with their children to be Christ-living, Jesus-teaching influences in their lives in those 363 days of the year.

Quite practically, Martin Luther wrote The Small Catechism in “plain form in which the head of the family shall teach them to his household.” The answer to the above questions is “No”. Rather it is the ultimate responsibility of parents/guardians to train up children as Jesus' disciples.

Pray over this responsibility. What is your next step investment in training up the child(ren) God has brought to your life?

Prayer and Proverbs - Day 21 of 31

Read Proverbs 21.

“The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.” (Proverbs 21:5 ESV)

What are your plans? Have you thought them through? Have you prayed for God's guidance over them? Are they in line with God's plan for your life? Have you sought the counsel of trusted others and experts in the field?

Consider Jesus' words of wisdom, “For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, 'This man began to build and was not able to finish.’ Or what king, going out to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and deliberate whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? And if not, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace.” (Luke 14:28-32 ESV)

It is this simple – God created us, gave us brains, to make diligent plans. And of course, we are equipped with wisdom, insight, and leading from God's Word and the Holy Spirit to carry out these plans.

I'm serving on a team which is in the process of starting something new (which we hope in our plans) will reach new people with the love of Jesus. In striving to be a diligent planner, I'm reading through Bill Woolsey's Seven Steps to Start. Bill has years of experience in launching new to reach new. The benefits are countless when you tap into the expertise of others. And we pray that our diligent plans will lead to abundance, that being lives transformed – disciples made, new people knowing the love and grace of Jesus Christ.

So back to you.

What are you plans? As you consider your response, first thing...pray.

Prayer and Proverbs - Day 20 of 31

Read Proverbs 20.

“False weights and unequal measures—the Lord detests double standards of every kind.” (Proverbs 20:10 NLT)

Measuring things unfairly—something we've all done. If you think you are the exception, then I'd drop 1 John 1:8 (NLT) on you, “If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth.” Who does Jesus' words, “And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own?” (Matthew 7:3 NLT), NOT speak to?

What other forms of double standards do we fall victim to and/or thrust unjustly upon others?


In prayer, ask God to remove the double standards that plague your life and actions. How may removing a double standard that you are the cause of help another to find renewed life and maybe even to know the freedom we have in Jesus?

Prayer and Proverbs - Day 19 of 31

Read Proverbs 19.

“Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.” (Proverbs 19:21 ESV)

Let's look at our Lord Jesus' purpose:

“And when it was day, he [Jesus] departed and went into a desolate place. And the people sought him and came to him, and would have kept him from leaving them, but he said to them, 'I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns as well; for I was sent for this purpose.'” (Luke 4:42-43 ESV)

For what reasons would the people have not wanted Jesus to leave them? What could have been the consequences if their plans were successful? What could have been the consequences if the town where Jesus was previously were successful in keeping Jesus to themselves?

What do you these verses say to the congregation which does little preaching of the good news, little bringing of Jesus' presence to those outside of church walls?

Individuals and/or a congregation may have their own plans. But according to Proverbs 19:21 and Luke 4:42-43, to what purpose should our plans be set and shaped? What is your next step, your congregation's next step, in being about Jesus' purpose?